New Community Health Funding and Energy Program Update
Details
New Funding Opportunity Added to the Portal:
Wellness Fund: Provincial grants of $500–$3,500 for community projects that address social determinants of health. Funded through Nova Scotia’s Community Health Boards, the program supports upstream health initiatives including intergenerational activities, food literacy, and social connection projects.
Application window: February 16 – April 15, 2026
Update to Existing Program:
Energy Innovation Program – Off-Site Construction Challenge (Stream 2)is now open. Federal funding for projects demonstrating innovative off-site construction methods for energy-efficient multi-unit residential buildings. Phase 1 offers design grants up to $180,000; Phase 2 offers up to $10 million for finalists to bring designs to construction.
Deadline: March 27, 2026
New to the Portal: Workforce Development Funding
Details
Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages: Federal salary subsidies for employers creating short-term bilingual jobs for youth ages 15-30. Non-profits may receive up to 70% of employment costs; public or private sector organizations (including municipalities) up to 50%.
Webinar: Collaborating for Climate Adaptation Planning
Details
Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is hosting a webinar on collaboration for municipal climate adaptation planning. The session explores how working with external partners – neighbouring municipalities, Indigenous communities, equity-deserving groups, and local organizations – can strengthen climate resilience, with insights from municipal staff in Muskoka and Toronto.
Webinar: Preparing for a Build Canada Homes (BCH) proposal
Details
Build Canada Homes (BCH) is hosting a regional webinar to support organizations interested in partnering with BCH to increase affordable housing supply across Canada. BCH recently opened its online portal for affordable housing proposals and is currently looking for shovel-ready projects that demonstrate affordability, speed, innovation, and regional impact. Participants will learn more about BCH’s Investment Policy Framework, how to navigate the BCH Portal, and how to prepare a strong proposal.
New Programs: Innovative Communities Fund + Affordable360 Cohort
Details
Innovative Communities Fund: Federal non-repayable contributions for community-based projects across Atlantic Canada that build local economies, strengthen rural infrastructure, and help communities address economic challenges.
Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round.
Affordable360 – Predevelopment Feasibility Cohort: No-cost feasibility support and free software access for municipalities and non-profit housing providers developing affordable housing, includes planning/zoning review, 3D massing/early design, preliminary cost estimates, and hands-on training.
Deadline (Current cohort): December 23, 2025.
Now Open: EcoAction & Connect2 Grants
Details
Applications are now open for:
EcoAction Community Program – Stream 2 (Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation): Federal funding for projects that pilot innovative/clean-tech solutions, enable circular economy opportunities, or improve freshwater data access and interoperability, focused on initiatives with national relevance or scalability. Funding is $25,000–$200,000 and covers up to 50% of total project costs.
Deadline (Application): January 20, 2026.
Connect2 Program: Provincial grants for community active transportation projects that improve connectivity within and between communities and support walking, biking, wheeling and shared mobility. Funding covers up to 75% of eligible costs, with grants up to $100,000 depending on project category.
Deadline (Expression of Interest): January 9, 2026.
New Funding Opportunity + Webinar
Details
Digital Content Marketing Program: Provides Nova Scotia tourism businesses and organizations (including municipalities) the opportunity to partner with Tourism Nova Scotia to create high-quality photos and videos and develop digital marketing campaigns in key markets. The program offers two streams: Content Creation (minimum $10,000 partner investment) and Digital Marketing (minimum $7,500 media budget plus 15% admin fee). Tourism Nova Scotia matches all partner investments.
Deadline: January 30, 2026
Webinar: How to fund local home energy upgrades – Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is hosting a webinar on developing community efficiency financing initiatives to help communities remove barriers to home energy upgrades.
New to the Portal: Crime Prevention Funding Programs
Details
Civil Forfeiture Grant Program: Provincial one-time funding supporting victims of crime and crime prevention initiatives across Nova Scotia, funded from forfeited property seized by law enforcement.
Deadline: Applications accepted on rolling basis.
Crime Prevention Community Grant: Provincial funding up to $12,000 annually for youth-directed crime prevention programs supporting recreational, educational, and after-school programming.
Deadline: 2025-26 intake is closed (late applications typically considered if funding is available). Future intakes are expected but not yet announced.
